NW Security Group, the provider of IP video solutions and security consultancy, has launched a free European Union (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Readiness Checklist Tool to help businesses quickly and easily determine if they’re adequately preparing for the new legislation. Due to come into effect on 25 May, the EU GDPR aims to ensure the protection of personally identifiable information. According to recent figures, over 50% of companies across the UK will not be ready for the GDPR by the stated deadline.

While awareness of the new legislation has risen in recent months, the consensus is that UK firms are under-prepared for the EU GDPR, and therefore at risk of fines as high as €20 million or 4% of a company’s annual turnover (whichever is greater).

As an expert in providing security consultancy and training, NW Security has been giving businesses across the UK guidance on how to ensure compliance by the May deadline in a series of awareness seminars. The GDPR Readiness Checklist Tool has formed a vital part of each seminar, helping attendees determine how effective their data protection processes are on their respective journeys towards GDPR compliance.

Nigel Peers, senior consultant at NW Security, offers his thoughts on the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation and how companies must prepare for its introduction

“As a provider of IP-based security systems, we’ve always taken cyber security very seriously indeed to ensure the solutions we recommend to our customers protect the data that’s generated,” stated Nigel Peers, senior consultant at NW Security. “In recent months, we’ve been raising awareness with companies and helping them to assess their levels of preparedness for the GDPR using our quick Checklist Tool. As the timeframes become more urgent and levels of readiness are left wanting, we felt it would be helpful to make this free Checklist Tool available to more companies across the UK. It prompts them to think about how best to prepare themselves and their supply chains for the GDPR and provides an insight of just how comprehensive a full GDPR Organisational Readiness Assessment needs to be.”

One of the seminars was held at the Wirral Chamber of Commerce in Birkenhead, welcoming attendees from a range of businesses in the region to heighten understanding of the new GDPR and identify how it could impact their organisation. Laura Cross, director at Concentric HR, said of the seminar: “It was extremely informative and practical. We don’t feel fully prepared for the GDPR as yet, but events such as this have definitely increased our knowledge on the topic and given us great learnings to take back and implement within our firm.”

Cross continued: “The GDPR Readiness Checklist Tool was one of the most useful aspects of the seminar. It really helped me to understand where our business is currently on the journey towards GDPR compliance. Knowing that there are external experts out there that can support us along the way is extremely reassuring for our business.”